Jeff Bagwell denied Hall of Fame entry; Barry Larkin gets lone call

Jeff Bagwell once again fell short of the needed votes to gain admittance into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but his second-year surge put him in position to figure prominently in what will undoubtedly be the highest-decibel Hall bickering come this time in 2013.

While Reds shortstop Barry Larkin was the only recipient of the Hall call Monday, Bagwell made the leap from debuting at 41.7 percent to grabbing 56.0 percent (321 of 573) of the vote, falling short of the 75 percent needed to enter the game’s eternal shrine to greatness.

The 15-year veteran of the Astros whose name permeates the team record book now has the chance to go in alongside teammate Craig Biggio, from whose legacy Bagwell’s can sometimes feel inseparable.

The 2013 ballot offers no sure thing even as crossing 50 percent has typically been a sure harbinger of a future home in Cooperstown.

In addition to pondering Biggio’s case, the writers – limited to 10 votes on their ballots – will have a stacked and somewhat controversial class of newcomers to consider in addition to this year’s other ballot standouts.

Former Astros pitcher and seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens will be in his first year of eligibility, as will Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa, their names all associated – true or not – with alleged performance-enhancing drug use. Mike Piazza and Curt Schilling also have compelling cases, leading to what should be the wildest voting in recent memory, following this one in which no newcomer even reached 10 percent of the vote.

Larkin appeared on 86.4 percent of the ballots, and Jack Morris was the only other player to finish above Bagwell, grabbing 66.7 percent. After Bagwell came Lee Smith (50.6 percent) and Tim Raines (48.7 percent), both of whom also made a significant jump.

Larkin soared from 62.1 percent in 2011 amid the weak crop of first-timers led by Bernie Williams, who got just 9.6 percent of the vote.

Larkin played his entire 19-year career with the Reds. He hit .295 with a .371 on-base percentage and a .444 slugging percentage, towering over his shortstop peers. In accepting congratulations, he lightly recounted his time at the University of Michigan when his baseball career was boosted by the fact that Bo Schembechler red-shirted him in football and talked about a failed move to second base that lasted all of two games.

“I think it’s the approach to the game that I’m most proud of,” Larkin said.

“No assumptions, no quick fixes, the willingness to put in the work. I think it’s all the intangible things. … The things that support the X’s and O’s.”

Larkin will join Veterans Committee choice and late Cubs third baseman Ron Santo in Cooperstown this July with ceremonies also honoring Ford C. Frick Award (broadcasting) winner Tim McCarver, now of Fox, and J.G. Taylor Spink Award (writing) winner Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.

As for Bagwell, the number represents the steady progress that many who are initially left off make. As mentioned on the MLB Network broadcast of the announcement, only Gil Hodges has ever been ultimately left out after crossing 50 percent of the vote.

Bagwell played 15 years, all for the Astros, hitting .297 with a .408 on-base percentage, a .540 slugging percentage and an Astros record 449 home runs. His candidacy has been dogged in some ways by the profound power numbers put up by others in his era, steroid suspicions that Bagwell has denied and probably a lack of recognition for his 1,401 walks that helped make him statistically the most valuable Astro ever and among the top first basemen of all-time.

Bagwell did not respond to a request for comment, but he stated last year that he has no expectation of getting into Cooperstown “real easily,” though past tracks for similar vote-getters state otherwise.

Jay Jaffe, Baseball Prospectus’ Hall of Fame specialist, points out that voting patterns suggest to start drawing up that goateed bust now. Dating back to 1966 when voting returned to being an annual event, no candidate has ever received more than 48.3 percent (Gil Hodges) in his second rodeo and not made the Hall eventually, though it has taken several years in some cases.

Pictures and clips of Jeff Bagwell are displayed on monitors in Minute Maid Park during pre-game ceremonies. Jeff Bagwell's uniform No. 5 was retired in a ceremony before the Astros' game with the Pittsburgh Pirates. less

Pictures and clips of Jeff Bagwell are displayed on monitors in Minute Maid Park during pre-game ceremonies. Jeff Bagwell's uniform No. 5 was retired in a ceremony before the Astros' game with the Pittsburgh ... more

Photo: Steve Campbell / Houston Chronicle

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Astros fans get their photos taken in front of the Jeff Bagwell 449 Career Home Runs board at Minute Maid Park before the Astros 2010 regular-season opener.

Astros fans get their photos taken in front of the Jeff Bagwell 449 Career Home Runs board at Minute Maid Park before the Astros 2010 regular-season opener.

Photo: Michael Paulsen / Chronicle

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Jeff Bagwell was named as the team's hitting coach on July 11, 2010.

Jeff Bagwell was named as the team's hitting coach on July 11, 2010.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Lance Berkman chats with Jeff Bagwell during batting practice on July 30, 2010.

Lance Berkman chats with Jeff Bagwell during batting practice on July 30, 2010.

Photo: Karen Warren / Chronicle

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Jeff Bagwell's guidance was key for Hunter Pence (9).

Jeff Bagwell's guidance was key for Hunter Pence (9).

Photo: Michael Paulsen / Chronicle

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Jeff Bagwell 's iconic uniform No. 5 will never be worn by another Astros player.

Jeff Bagwell 's iconic uniform No. 5 will never be worn by another Astros player.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Jeff Bagwell became eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Jeff Bagwell became eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Jeff Bagwell waves to the crowd that always appreciated him.

Jeff Bagwell waves to the crowd that always appreciated him.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Jeff Bagwell was the 1994 NL MVP.

Jeff Bagwell was the 1994 NL MVP.

Photo: TONY DEJAK / AP

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Jeff Bagwell was a Gold Glove Award winner (1994).

Jeff Bagwell was a Gold Glove Award winner (1994).

Photo: TONY DEJAK / AP

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Jeff Bagwell receives congratulations after hitting his 400th career home run on July 20, 2003.

Jeff Bagwell receives congratulations after hitting his 400th career home run on July 20, 2003.

Photo: Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

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Jeff Bagwell is doused with champagne in the clubhouse after Game 6 of the National League Championship Series Sunday.

Jeff Bagwell is doused with champagne in the clubhouse after Game 6 of the National League Championship Series Sunday.

Photo: KAREN WARREN / HOUSTON CHRONICLE

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Jeff Bagwell made the All-Star team in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999.

Jeff Bagwell made the All-Star team in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999.

Photo: KAREN WARREN / Houston Chronicle

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Jeff Bagwell was the 1991 National League Rookie of the Year.

Jeff Bagwell was the 1991 National League Rookie of the Year.

Photo: Stephen P. O\\\'Brien

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Jeff Bagwell stands takes in a Texans game with Rachel Brown.

Jeff Bagwell stands takes in a Texans game with Rachel Brown.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Jeff Bagwell tees off on No. 11 during the Championship Pro-Am at the Administaff Small Business Classic at The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course.

Jeff Bagwell tees off on No. 11 during the Championship Pro-Am at the Administaff Small Business Classic at The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course.